Help & Advice

Q: As soon as I found out I was pregnant, my face started to look like a teenager's! Can pregnancy cause acne?~Michele, California

A. In a word, yes.

Thought to be a result of the surge of progesterone (which increases your skin’s oil production) and increased fluids in your body (which bring toxins to the surface), acne often surprises pregnant women. According to WebMD, “more than one out of every two pregnant women can expect” acne while they’re expecting.

Hmmm…that sounds suspiciously like all women will get acne during pregnancy, doesn’t it?

From mild to severe, whiteheads to cystic acne, blemishes on your chin and jawline to bumps on your butt and back, pregnancy acne runs the gamut from mildly noticeable to horrifying.

If you’re one of the “more than one in two pregnant women” who’s been surprised to learn that pregnancy causes acne, you’re probably equally dismayed to learn that oral acne medications and salicylic acid are off-limits for you now because they cause birth defects. The other acne standby, benzoyl peroxide, hasn’t been studied to know if it’s safe for pregnant women and their fetuses. As a result, some health care providers and health advisors, including WebMD, urge women to avoid that ingredient or use it with caution.

Acne caused by pregnancy acne will go away after your baby is born.

In the meantime, you don't have to suffer for your entire 9 months. Prevent breakouts and shrink blemishes with pregnancy acne products that are safe for you to use. Drink up to 80 ounces of water a day, reduce your sugar consumption, and eat lots of green, leafy veggies and fruits and vegetables.

Real question from a Maternitique mom, and real answer from Maternitique founder and CEO, Tara M. Bloom. Have a question about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, or baby care? Send it to me! Reach me on Facebook, Twitter, or via our contact page above. Subscribe to Materni-Talk by email or RSS to get regular suggestions for how to expect the best during pregnancy and motherhood. And please share with others!